Injection tool for producing components by injection moulding

Abstract

An injection tool for the production of components by an injection-molding method, the injection tool including several cavities for shaping one respective product, an injection nozzle for injecting plastic materials for each cavity, and an actuating device. The injection nozzle has an injection channel which can be closed by a nozzle needle in order to control the injection process. The actuating device is arranged to move the nozzle needle in an axial direction between a first end position and a second end position, with an adjustable stop being provided which defines the first end position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An injection tool comprising:
 a plurality of molding plates; 
 a plurality of cavities arranged in one of the molding plates, and configured to shape a product via an injection molding process; 
 a plurality of injection nozzles in communication with a respective one of the cavities and configured to inject a fluid material into the respective one of the cavities, the injection nozzles each having an injection channel which during operation of the invention tool is closed by a respective nozzle needle; 
 a plurality of actuating devices configured to move a respective nozzle needle in an axial direction between a first end position and a second end position; 
 a plurality of adjustable stops for a respective nozzle needle and which defines the first end position, each adjustable stop comprising a screw arranged coaxially in relation to the nozzle needle; 
 a plurality of motors to moveably adjust a respective adjustable stop; and 
 a screw-jack held in an insert of one of the molding plates, to which is connected the adjustable stop, and which is to be engaged by the motor to during an adjustment of the adjustable stop in an axial direction to thereby define the first end position. 
 
     
     
       2. The injection tool of  claim 1 , wherein each motor comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
       3. The injection tool of  claim 2 , wherein the electric motor comprises a stepper motor. 
     
     
       4. The injection tool of  claim 1 , wherein each actuating device comprises a pneumatic actuating device. 
     
     
       5. The injection tool of  claim 1 , wherein the injection tool comprises a cold runner injection tool. 
     
     
       6. The injection tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a control device to control each motor independently. 
     
     
       7. The injection tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first end position is adjustable up to a closing position for the injection nozzle. 
     
     
       8. The injection tool of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable stop is screwed to the screw-jack. 
     
     
       9. An injection apparatus, comprising:
 an injection tool including:
 a plurality of molding plates; 
 a plurality of cavities arranged in one of the molding plates, and configured to shape a product via an injection molding process; 
 a plurality of injection nozzles in communication with a respective one of the cavities and configured to inject a fluid material into the respective one of the cavities, the injection nozzles each having an injection channel which during operation of the invention tool is closed by a respective nozzle needle; 
 a plurality of actuating devices configured to move a respective nozzle needle in an axial direction between a first end position and a second end position; 
 a plurality of adjustable stops for a respective nozzle needle and which defines the first end position, each adjustable stop comprising a screw arranged coaxially in relation to the nozzle needle; 
 a plurality of motors to moveably adjust a respective adjustable stop, and 
 a screw-jack held in an insert of one of the molding plates, to which is connected the adjustable stop, and which is to be engaged by the motor to during an adjustment movement of the adjustable stop in an axial direction to thereby define the first end position, 
 
 a measuring device to detect a production quality of the injection tool; and 
 a feedback control device operative connected to the measuring device and which is configured to activate the motors. 
 
     
     
       10. The injection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the measuring device is configured to visually detect the production quality. 
     
     
       11. The injection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the measuring device is arranged as a balance. 
     
     
       12. The injection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each motor comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
       13. The injection apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the electric motor comprises a stepper motor. 
     
     
       14. The injection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each actuating device comprises a pneumatic actuating device. 
     
     
       15. The injection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the injection tool comprises a cold runner injection tool. 
     
     
       16. The injection apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a control device to control each motor independently. 
     
     
       17. The injection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first end position is adjustable up to a closing position for the injection nozzle. 
     
     
       18. A method for producing products by injection-molding, the method comprising:
 providing an injection tool including a plurality of molding plates, a plurality of cavities arranged in one of the molding plates, and configured to shape a product via an injection molding process, a plurality of injection nozzles in communication with a respective one of the cavities and configured to inject a plastic material into the respective one of the cavities, the injection nozzles each having an injection channel which during operation of the invention tool is closed by a respective nozzle needle, a plurality of actuating devices configured to move a respective nozzle needle in an axial direction between a first end position and a second end position, a plurality of adjustable stops for a respective nozzle needle and which defines the first end position, each adjustable stop comprising a screw arranged coaxially in relation to the nozzle needle, a plurality of motors to moveably adjust a respective adjustable stop, and a screw-jack held in an insert of one of the molding plates, to which is connected the adjustable stop, and which is to be engaged by the motor to during an adjustment movement of the adjustable stop in an axial direction; 
 simultaneously injecting the plastic material into the plurality of cavities of the injection tool via the injection nozzles; 
 determining an injection quantity and an injection speed by an adjustment of a first end position of the nozzle needle; and 
 individually adjusting the first end position of each injection nozzle electro-mechanically. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein individually adjusting the first end positions of the nozzle needles is performed directly before the injection process. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the production quality is monitored continually and the first end position of each injection nozzle is individually readjusted automatically.